Freedom of Information - Publication Scheme

Corporate Services
Your Council

Introduction:

Wicklow County Council has prepared and published a Publication Scheme concerning the information of the Council in conformity with a Model and Guidelines made by the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform under Section 8 of the Freedom of Information Act, 2014.

The Scheme came into effect on the 14th April, 2016.

Purpose of Scheme:

The Scheme is designed to facilitate the provision of information to the greatest extent possible, except for information exempted under the Act and, in preparing, reviewing or revising a Publication Scheme, an FOI body shall have regard to the public interest in:

(a) allowing public access to information held by the FOI body;
(b) the publication of reasons for decisions made by the FOI body; and
(c) publishing information of relevance or interest to the general public in relation to its activities and functions generally.

Six Information Sets:

Information will be provided under the following six headings:

A:         Information about the FOI body

B:         Services Provided or to be provided to the Public

C:         Decision Making process for major policy proposals

D:         Financial Information

E:         Procurement

F:         FOI Disclosure Log and Other Information to be Published Routinely

A: Information about the FOI body

Who we are, what we do, organisational information, structures, locations and contacts.

B. Services Provided or to be provided to the Public

The services we offer. Details of functions and services that the organisation provides and the decision making process.

  • Services provided for public including administration of an enactment / scheme (e.g. grant schemes)
  • How such services can be accessed
  • How much such services cost to access
  • Administration of such services
  • Review or appeal rights relating to such services
  • Research projects undertaken in respect of these functions / services

 

C. Decision Making process for major policy proposals

How we make decisions on policies. Decision making processess and records of decisions.

  • Major policy proposals including any public consultation exercises
  • Background information relating to major policy proposals and decisions
  • Reports on the operation of public services by the FOI body
  • Expenditure reviews, Policy assessments

 

Major policy proposals including any public consultation exercises

 

Background information relating to major policy proposals and decisions

D. Financial Information

What we spend. Financial information relating to income and expenditure.

E. Procurement

How we spend. Information relating to how we procure goods and services.

F. FOI Disclosure Log and Other Information to be Published Routinely

Ohter information - FOI bodies publish the type of information listed below as appopriate, in addition to other information that would provide information to the public.

For example:

  • FOI Disclosure Log
  • Reports
  • Commercial publications and relative charges
  • Information held by the body which is sought regulary